The news comes after the announcement that the head of the Catholic Church will visit the UAE for the first time from February 3 - 5.
Zayed Sports City has 43,000 seats and Bishop Paul Hinder Vicar Apostolic in the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, who announced the news stated 'arrangements are being put in place in order to make it possible for a maximum of our faithful to participate in this historic event'.
The full schedule for the visit has been released.
Sunday, February 3 (Rome-Abu Dhabi):
- 1pm Departure from Rome's Fiumicino airport for Abu Dhabi.
- 10pm Arrival at the Abu Dhabi Presidential Flight airport. Official welcome.
Monday, February 4
- Noon Welcoming ceremony at the entrance to the presidential palace.
- 12.20pm Official visit with the crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, in the presidential palace.
- 5pm Private meeting with members of the Muslim Council of Elders in the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
- 6.10pm Interreligious meeting at the Founder's Memorial.
Tuesday, February 5 (Abu Dhabi, Rome)
- 9.15am Private visit to the cathedral.
- 10.30am Mass at Zayed Sports City.
- 12.40pm Farewell ceremony at the Presidential Flight airport.
- 1pm Departure for Rome.
- 5pm Arrival at Rome's Ciampino airport.